Rafael Correa not considering Snowden asylum: 'we helped him by mistake'

[struggle4progress]

Ecuador's president reveals travel pass was granted 'without authorisation' and says whistleblower is now Russia's problem
Rory Carroll in Quito
Monday 1 July 2013 21.44 EDT

... "Are we responsible for getting him to Ecuador? It's not logical. The country that has to give him a safe conduct document is Russia."

The president, speaking at the presidential palace in Quito, said his government did not intentionally help Snowden travel from Hong Kong to Moscow with a temporary travel pass. "It was a mistake on our part," he added.

Asked if he thought the former NSA contractor would ever make it to Quito, he replied: "Mr Snowden's situation is very complicated, but in this moment he is in Russian territory and these are decisions for the Russian authorities."

On whether Correa would like to meet him, the president said: "Not particularly. He's a very complicated person. Strictly speaking, Mr Snowden spied for some time" ...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/02/ecuador-rafael-correa-snowden-mistake

[struggle4progress]

1. Whistle-blower Snowden seeks asylum in China, among other nations, says Wikileaks

Tuesday, 02 July, 2013

... WikiLeaks also disclosed on Monday that Snowden had prepared requests for asylum in countries including Russia, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and Venezuela ...

http://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1273534/edward-snowden-applies-political-asylum-russia

[treestar]

5. He's got to get to one of those countries or their consulate I bet

Even if any of them would grant asylum, it would be useless if he can't get there. Suppose they could issue him the travel document as Ecuador mistakenly did, for real.

But then he's not going to qualify for asylum under their laws, unless their law equates political persecution with being charged with a crime for which there is a trial, right to counsel, right to appeal, right against self incrimination. So far only Ecuador operates on a generous standard like that.

[Cha]

9. Hasn't given up on China or was that before China gave up

on him?

[Mojorabbit]

2. By mistake? I doubt it. nt

[Cali_Democrat]

3. Just come home, Snowden

Nobody wants your ass except the DOJ

[flamingdem]

4. Who's your Daddy Snowden?

[Cha]

10. Wow! Daddy knows best.

[SidDithers]

6. DU rec...nt

Sid

[giftedgirl77]

7. Talk about piss poor planning

It looks like Mr Snowden may be up shit creek w/out a paddle.

[Cha]

8. "Strickly speaking Snowden spied for some time" thank you, Pres Correa!

thanks struggle for the article

Rec

[Tarheel_Dem]

11. Greenwald & Assange, the puppetmasters, have this kid's destiny on their hands.

They got what they wanted. They embarrassed the USA, and possibly destroyed this kid's future, in the process. If the great Wiki dump by Assange is any measure, this too will pass. Most people don't know, or care who Julian Assange is.

[jaysunb]

12. +1 n/t